Embossing apparatus



Dec. 24, 1935. A. LEWIS 2,025,518

EMBOSSING APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1935 I 7 HIII 2 J AZVl'nZeWu ATTORN EYS Patented Dec. 24,- 1935 UNITED STATES. lATENT OFFIQE EMIBOSSING APPARATUS Alvin Lewis, New York, N. Y.

Application March 27, 1935, Serial No. 13,338

, Claims.

'The present invention relates to improvements :in apparatus for performing an embossing opera tion by punching characters from a sheet of paper and forcing them into a sheet or strip of fibre boa d, cardboard or other backing.

Important objects of the invention are, to provide means to facilitate the performance of such embossing work upon narrow backing strips such, for example, as the strips employed in the directory boards of office buildings and bearing the names and room numbers of the tenants of the building, and to provide for protection of the small type, employed in embossing such strips, from injurious strain.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing the slotted type and work-holding and alining plate of the apparatus, with the work and a type set-up assembled in one of the slots and with the work only in the other slot;

Fig. 2 a side edge View of the slotted plate containing the assembled type set-up and the work,

and showing the plate detachably supported upon the carriage plate or platen plate of an embossing press, the carriage plate being shown in section;

Fig. 3 an enlarged yerti cal section on the line i33 of Fig. 2, showing work and type set-ups in both slots of the holding plate in preparati on for the embossing impression;

.Fig. 4 a view similar to Fig. ;3 showing ,the

:completion of the embossing impression by comapression of the type and the work between the carriage plate and an opposed presser headofthe ,Fig. 5,2. perspective view of a portion of the {type-carrying bar with one of the type and a :spaced block slidably fitted thereon;

Fig. 6 aface view of an embossed directory strip;

..Fig. 7 a top plan View of an embossing press xwith the slotted type and work-holding plate 2mounted upon the carriage plate of the press; and

Fig. 8 a front view of the press equipped with said slotted plate.

The embossing apparatus forming the subject imatter of this application may be employed satto perform the embossing work. A carriage plate or platen plate I overlies the lower head and is supported by guides G to shift back and forth through the body of the press. In preparation for an embossing operation the plate l is drawn forward and a type and work set-up is made thereon. Then the plate is shoved rearward to dispose the set-up between the presser heads. Normally, when the presser head P is in its lowermost position, the plate I rests upon the guides G. When the head P is however raised by the operation or" the handle II the plate is lifted off the guides G to advance the type and work set-up toward the head P for the embossing impression.

My present apparatus is employed in conjunction with the carriage plate to facilitate set-ups of work and type, retain the work and type in accurate mutual alinement and also properly limit the depth of embossing impression so as to prevent injurious strain upon the type. The limiting of the depth of impression is also for another purpose which will be explained hereinafter.

The directory boards of large office buildings commonly have the names and room numbers of the tenants borne by numerous narrow strips of fibre-board or cardboard. These strips are removable and interchangeable on the board. They may, for example, be only three-eighths of an inch in width for a board which must accommodate a large number of strips. I-Ieretofore the letters and numbers for such strips have commonly been cut from a sheet of gummed paper and then stuck individually upon the strip to compose the tenants name and room number. That is a delicate and laborious process, and my present invention is directed to facilitating the application of the characters to the strips by an embossing process, and to the performance of the embossing process in such a manner that the lettering of the embossed strips will closely resemble the stuck-on lettering. New strips with embossed lettering may then be assembled in a directory board along with old strips having stuck-on lettering without noticeable difference in the letter- My improved apparatus includes a flat, rigid metal plate 2 with flat parallel upper and lower surfaces 3 and 4. The plate has a plurality of parallel slots 5 which open through one end of the plate. In the present instance there are two of said slots but the number may be varied. Except for an entrance flare 6 at their open ends the slots are of uniform width throughout their length and thoughout their depth. They should be of a width to closely receive a work strip such as a directory board strip S. The side walls I of the slot are smooth and perpendicular in cross section from the upper face 3 to the lower face 4 of the plate. The inner end wall I of each slot is squared, smooth and perpendicular. It is preferable that the length of the slots be less than that of the strip S which is to be embossed. Near its opposite ends, and upon a longitudinal central line between the slots, the plate has apertures in which are driven pins 8. The latter project below the under face of the plate to form studs 8 for detachably anchoring the plate in a definite position on the carriage plate I of the press. To

receive said studs, sockets 9 are bored in the I2. the same for all of the type and is such that the sockets are deeper than the studs 8 to permit the slotted plate, to rest fiat on the carriage plate. The latter then forms bottoms for the slots 5 and combines therewith to define type and workreceiving grooves in which the compression for the embossing impressions'takes place.

Embossing type iii are provided to fit in the slots 5. Each type has a block-like body with protruding cutting edges at its under side defining a character. The body has flat, parallel end surfaces I I and a flat upper or non-printing face The dimension between end surfaces II is type will have a close working fit in the slots 5, and the side walls 5 of the slots will, by engagement with said surfaces I I, hold the type against displacement transversely of the slot and keep them in accurate alinement. The upper face I2 of each type has an undercut, dovetail recess or slot I3. Said slot is of the same dimensions on all of the type and is at the same location between the end surfaces Ii. There are also provided blank spacing blocks I4 similar to the type bodies and similaiay provided with dovetail slots. These are for interposition between the type to space them properly in a set-up. a

To facilitate setting-up of the type and to also facilitate their insertion into the slots 5 and their removal therefrom there areprovided typecarrying bars I5. Each of the latter is a flat metal strip having beveled longitudinal edges I6 giving the bar a dovetail form in cross section to slidably receive the slotted type thereon. In cross section the bar is so dimensioned as to fill the recess or slot I3 in the type and cause the upper face of the bar to lie flush with the upper face I2 of the type and the spacing blocks.

Fitted on and fixed to one end portion of the bar there is a margin-spacing block ll similar to the spacing blocks i l but longer lengthwise of the bar. Saidblock is also dimensioned to fit closely in the slots 5 and its upper face is flat and flush with the upper face of the bar. Its outer end face is fiat and adapted to abut the inner end walls 1% of theslots 5. The block also forms an abutment to hold the type from sliding off that end of the bar. The length of each bar I5 is greater than that of the slots 5 so that when the block I! is bottomed against the end wall I of one of the slots the opposite end of the bar will protrude from the open end of the slot. It may then be conveniently grasped. Preferably the length of the slots 5 is also less than that of the strips S to be embossed so that the outer ends of the strips gwill protrude for convenience in picking them up.

In preparation for embossing operations uponthe the strips 1 rest flat on the flat surface of the the plate 2 in a definite position on plate I. Then the strips S, each with a thin overlying strip S of gummed embossing paper of the same size as the strips S, are inserted into the slots so that the inner end edges of the strips S and S abut 5 the end walls I of the slots and the side walls I of the slots engage the side edges of the inserted strips. Thereby, the superposed strips S and S are held in accurate register. The under faces of ll) plate I. Next the type It and the spacing blocks l4, if required, are set up on the type carrying bars I5 and the set up type are inserted, printing faces downward, into the slots 5 so that the cutting edges of the type bear against the embossing strips S. Within the slots the strips S and S and the type are held in mutual alinement by the walls I of the slots for accurate placing of the lettering on the strips S. The spacing blocks I! space the lettering from the underlying ends I of the strip to provide a suitable margin. If a greater margin is required the blocks I! may be supplemented by spacing blocks I I.

The slotted plate 2, and the type ii] are, in depth, so correlated that when the strips S and S are in the slots 5 and the cutting edges of the type rest upon the strips S the upper faces I2 of the type will be disposed at an elevation above the face 3 of the plate a distance precisely equal to the desired depth of embossing impression, as shown in Fig. 3. Said faces and the upper face'of the type-carrying bar are flush. Therefore when the plate, type and work assembly is disposed, by shifting of the plate I, between the presser heads P and P, and the handle H of the press is operated to elevate the plate I, said flush surfaceswill all be forced against the upper presser head P. The type will then be pressed down evenly into the strips and the embossing impression will continue until the advance is definitely stopped by 40 bringing the fiat upper face 3 of the slotted plate to bear against the under face of the presser head P, as shown in Fig. 4. Thetype, the type carrying bar and the strips S and S are then entirely within the slots and under embossing compression between the head P and the plate I. By thus limiting the depth of impression the delicate cutting edges of the type are protected and the embossed effect is limited so that the embossed lettering will not differ noticeably from stuck-on lettering.

Since the type-carrying bar I5 fills thedovetail recesses in the type and is flush with them)- per faces of the type, embossing pressure is transmitted through the bar as well as the type and is so distributed as to prevent any distortion of the type which might bind the type on the bar orbind them in the slots 5.

The plate 2 ensures accurate parallelism of the carriage plate I and the presserplate P at the completion of the embossing-pressure and thereby ensures uniform embossing in both of the slots 5. The abutment faces 3 and 4 cf the plate 2 are parallel and they are of material width transversely of the slots 5 so that they will accurately level the plate I with relation to the presser. head P.

When the embossing operation is completedthe plate is shifted forward to uncover the typeand work assembly; the projecting ends of the typecarrying bars are grasped to lift the bars and type 7 from the slots;'the strips S and S are lifted by their projecting nd out of the slots and" the What I claim is:

l. Embossing apparatus comprising a fiat plate adapted to rest flat upon a platen face and having a type and work-receiving slot closed at one end and open at its opposite end and having parallel longitudinal side walls; means to hold the plate detachably in a definite position on said platen face; a type-carrying bar of greater length than said slot; and type of less depth than the depth of said slot and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the slot and engage said slot side walls and be alined thereby and being recessed to interfit with said bar to slide therealong on and off the bar endwise and be retained against transverse removal, the slot being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression between the platen face and a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing irnpression by engagement of the plate with the presser head.

2. Embossing apparatus comprising a fiat plate adapted to rest fiat upon a platen face and having a type and work-receiving slot closed at one end and open at its opposite end and having parallel longitudinal side walls perpendicular in cross section; a flat type-carrying bar of greater length than said slot and having beveled opposite longitudinal edges; and type of less depth than the depth of said slot and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the slot and engage said slot side walls and be alined thereby and having flat back faces with undercut recesses therein adapted to be slid into engagement with said beveled bar, said recesses being of sufficient depth to receive the bar wholly within them and disposed the back face of the type and the outer face of the bar in flush relation, the slot being adapted to contain in superposed relation 2. backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression between the platen face and a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of the plate with the presser head.

3. Embossing apparatus comprising a fiat plate adapted to rest fiat upon a platen face and having a type and work-receiving slot with parallel longitudinal side Walls; a type-carrying bar; and type of less depth than the depth of said slot and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the slot and engage said slot side walls and be alined thereby and being recessed to interfit with said bar to slide therealong and be retained against transverse removal, the slot being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression between the platen face and a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of the plate with the presser head.

4. Embossing apparatus comprising a flat plate adapted to rest flat upon a platen face and having a plurality of type and work-receiving slots each with parallel longitudinal side walls; means to hold the plate detachably in a definite position on said platen face; and type of less depth than the depth of said slots and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the slots and engage said slot side walls and be alined thereby and having fiat back faces, the slot being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip and the type, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression between the platen face and a presser head and to limit the 5 depth of the embossing impression by engagement of the plate with the presser head.

5. Embossing apparatus comprising in combination, means forming a platen face having sock ets; aflat plate adapted to rest fiat upon said platen face and having a type and work-receiving slot with parallel longitudinal side walls; studs borne by said plate at its under side to fit in said sockets in the platen face to hold the plate in a definite position on said face; and

type of less depth than the depth of said slot and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the slot and engage said slot side walls and be alined thereby, the slot being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip and the type, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression between the platen face and a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of said plate with the presser head.

6. Embossing apparatus comprising means forming a presser head abutment face and a type and work-receiving and alining groove in said face having a bottom and parallel longitudinal side walls; a type-carrying bar; and type of less depth than the depth of said groove and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the groove and engage said groove side walls and be alined thereby and being recessed to interfit with said bar to slide therealong on and off the bar endwise and be retained against transverse removal, the groove being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip and the type on the bar, to hold said 4,

strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression in the groove by a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of said abutment face with the presser head.

7. Embossing apparatus comprising means forming a presser head abutment face and a type and work-receiving and alining groove in said face closed at one end and open at its opposite end and having a bottom and parallel longitudi- 5 nal side walls; a type-carrying bar of greater length than said groove; and type of less depth than the depth of said groove and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the groove and engage said groove side walls and be alined thereby and being recessed to interfit with said bar to slide therealong on and oif the bar endwise and be retained against transverse removal, the groove being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip, and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression in the groove by a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of said abutment face with the presser 5 head.

8. Embossing apparatus comprising means forming a presser head abutment face and a type and work-receiving and alining groove in said face closed at one end and open at its opposite end and having a bottom and parallel longitudinaI side walls; a fiat type-carrying bar of greater length than said groove and having beveled opposite longitudinal edges; and type of less depth than the depth of said groove and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the groove and engage said groove side walls and be alined thereby and hav- 7 ing fiat back faces with undercut recesses therein adapted to be slid into engagement with said beveled bar, said recesses being of sufficient depth to receive the. bar Wholly within them and dispose the back face of the type and the outer face of the bar in flush relation, the groove being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, anembossing strip, and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression in the groove by a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of said abutment face with the presser head. 7

9. Embossing apparatus comprising means forming a presser head abutment face and a type and work-receiving and alining groove in said face having a bottom and parallel longitudinal side Walls perpendicular to said abutment face in cross section; a flat type-carrying bar having beveled opposite longitudinal edges; and type of less depth than the depth of said groove and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the groove and engage said groove side walls and be alined thereby and having flat back faces with under cut recesses therein adapted to he slid into engagement with said beveled bar, said recesses being of sufficient depth to receive the bar wholly within them and dispose the back face of the type and the outer face of the bar in flush rela-" tion, the groove being adapted to contain in superposed relation a backing strip to be embossed, an embossing strip, and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression in'the groove by a presser head and to limit the depth of the embossing impression by engagement of said abutment face with the presser head.

10. Embossing apparatus comprising means 10 forming a presser head abutment face and a type and work-receiving and alining groove in said face closed at one end having a bottom and parallel longitudinal side walls; a type-carrying bar having a margin-spacing block at one end to abut the closed end of said slot; and type of less depth than the depth of said groove and of a dimension to fit crosswise in the groove and engage said groove side walls and be alined thereby and being recessed to interfit with said bar to slide therealong on and oil the bar endwise and be retained against transverse removal, the groove being adapted to contain. in superposed relation a backing strip tobe embossed, an embossing strip, and the type on the bar, to hold said strips and the type in mutual alinement for embossing compression in the groove by a presser head and to limit the depth cf'the embossing impression by engagement of said abutment face with the presser head. 3O

ALVIN LEWIS. 

